DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit city leaders are trying to figure out why it takes Emergency Medical Services vehicles so long to respond to emergency calls.

Speaking before council members at Monday's meeting, Detroit EMS Chief Gerald James blamed the problem on staffing and maintenance shortages.

James says that, on any given day, nearly half of Detroit's EMS vehicles are out of service.

"If we don't have the personnel to come in, we might not get to the twenty-second truck. There may be a twenty-second truck, and three or four trucks that are available as a backup resource that we just don't have the manpower to staff," he said.

"As far as the maintenance, and the average number of trucks that are down daily, due to maintenance -- that issue fluctuates daily," James said.

 Detroiter Carl Williams urged City Council to insist on a deadline from Mayor Dave Bing.

"Something is very wrong when you're still talking about something -- it seems like too long for something simple," Williams said.

"It applears to me that maybe we need to change the personnel... if they can't be running, we want them to walk. And, we know what the problem is. So, let's solve it," he said.

In an update to City Council Monday, Mayor Bing's administration said more EMS technicians are being hired. The City is also considering contracting with multiple car dealerships to speed up repairs.